God Stuff

In this episode of the podcast. Bill Giovannetti continues sharing new book, CHAOS:As Goes the Church, So Goes the World.

Chapter 3 - The Song That Never Ends

If you wish to rant about the state of affairs in the contemporary church, worship music is low-hanging fruit, I know. God help us. 

The burden of this book is that God’s people have welcomed chaos into the church and our lives. Sometimes, our worship music is both a symptom and a contributing factor. 

And let me say right away it’s not just the repetition that’s to blame. 

In the worship song commonly called “Psalm 136,” you will find the words “his mercy endures forever” 26 times in 26 verses. I’d call that repetitious. Repetition per se is not the problem. 

Arguably the greatest extra-biblical worship song of all time – one that the church has stood up for ever since King George II launched the tradition at its 1742 debut – is Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. This chorus repeats the word Hallelujah at least 36 times, King of kings 8 times, Lord of lords 8 times, and for ever and ever 12 times. And I’m not even counting the echoes. The finale is nothing but repetition: 

King of Kings

And Lord of Lords

King of Kings

And Lord of Lords

And He shall reign for ever and ever

King of Kings

And Lord of Lords

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Repetition is not the core problem in contemporary worship music. 

The core problem is that worship music is written all too often by worship leaders who can strum a guitar and sing decently and have never swum to the deep end of theology’s pool.

They don’t even know it’s there.

The deepest thing they can say about God is, “He’s a good, good, good, good God,” like a good, good dog, so we can demand he fetch us a blessing. 

Yes, God is good. In theology, this is called the Benevolence of God, and is a doctrine rich in meaning. Yet I suspect not one worship leader in a hundred has bothered to crack open the theology books and launch a voyage into the wonders of this theology before they pen their ditties. They cannot deliver the depths of divine benevolence because they haven’t even heard the word, much less studied it out. 

We get the impression that the primary method of writing a contemporary worship hit is to first run the lyrics through the Random Phrase Generator, to produce a collection of Twitter-sized fragments assembled into a series of non-sequiturs, colored by mixed-metaphors to be sung at gradually swelling volume with maximum pathos. Little concern logos, or for cadence, and even less for the poetry’s beauty. 

So the church hums along in the theological shallows. There is little content to make our hearts skip a beat. All too many songwriters are incapable of painting a picture of a God so grand he takes our breath away, because they have rarely gone there themselves. So the church stands and watches while song leaders do their thing and the people on stage have their own little worship moment, eyes closed, bodies swaying, congregation forgotten. 

The hymns I learned as a boy in church, I still sing today when I walk my dog in the early morning hours. I doubt that anybody will be singing many of today’s praise songs thirty years from now as they walk along. There’s no “there” there. 

As all the church grandparents are nodding their heads in self-righteous disapproval, let me say that the fat, old hymnal has had the benefit of centuries of culling. There were plenty of horrible hymns composed back in the day. The large majority of them, no doubt. They just didn’t stand the test of time, so the church spit them out. Don’t be so smug, fellow Curmudgeons. 

And please don’t complain it’s too loud.

In this episode of the podcast. Bill Giovannetti continues sharing new book, CHAOS:As Goes the Church, So Goes the World.

Chapter 2 - Cheap Epistemology

I have in my library a worn out, orange, paperback book entitled Basic Christian Doctrines, first published in 1962 and then reprinted in 1971.1 

I do not remember when I first picked up this book, but I do know I was in my twenties. I also recall wanting to be personally equipped to teach and defend these doctrines to the Awana leaders I served with. 

The book contains 45 chapters on the essential foundations of evangelical faith. Each chapter is written by a theological heavyweight of a bygone era. The whole work is edited by the late, great Carl F. H. Henry. Forty-five chapters, each one plumbing the depths, the nuances, and the distinctive features of evangelicalism’s cardinal doctrines.

The book is remarkable to me today for two main reasons. 

First, it uses the word basic in its title. 

By today’s standards, however, this book is anything but basic. It explores theology in deep and meaningful ways. It deals with nuances that would be lost on most modern Christians. 

What I am saying is that what a past generation considered basic, today's generation would consider too advanced to bother with.

The book differentiates the communicable from the incommunicable attributes of God. It discusses Original Sin, and the imputation of Adam’s guilt. It opens up the doctrine of the Mystical Union between Christ and His people, and includes a chapter on the Kenotic Theory relative to the person of Christ. 

If these are yesterday’s basics, doesn’t that indicate there is something radically different today? 

A second equally disturbing reason I find the book remarkable is that each of its chapters was first published, not in some abstract theological journal, but in the popular level magazine Christianity Today. The theologically rich content of this book was considered suitable for the average Christian reader of its day. 

In my estimation, the seminary student of today would have a hard time plowing through this book. Many pastors would struggle with it. Yet Christianity Today found it needful and suitable for its broad readership back in the day.

Something has changed. 

I suspect that what has changed is the answer to a singularly important question which we must never stop asking. 

That question is: Where do you get your truth?

The technical name for this topic is epistemology. Ever since Satan suckered Eve into questioning God's Word in the Garden of Eden, God’s people have fought the downward pull of cheap epistemology. 

Cheap Epistemology

There is a growing roster of cheap substitutes for the in-depth teaching of the Word of God. These substitutes are cheap because they are imitations of the real thing. They are cheap because they are intellectually effortless. They are cheap because they capitulate to the spirit of the age, wimping out rather than confronting the destructive lies of our demonically hypnotized culture. 

Dear Christian, where do you find your truth?

1. Contemporary opinion

A 2019 article in Christian Headlines described a seminary president who rejects the literal bodily resurrection of Christ. She also rejects the virgin birth, prayer for healing, and miracles. She has no faith in heaven, or life after death, yet she is the president of Union Theological Seminary. 2

Of course this is the sad trend in liberal branches of theology. Once they discard the Bible anything goes, including the teaching of Wicca and other forms of paganism in schools that were once solely devoted to the Word of God.

In this episode of the podcast. Bill Giovannetti continues sharing new book, CHAOS:As Goes the Church, So Goes the World.

You might have caught some changes in file names, podcasts episode names and titles, because I have basically changed the numbering system to make the whole structure of the book more clear, it's a work in progress. I'm also changing chapter titles...

With this episode Bill continues giving away most of this book, as he shares it with you on the podcast. The message is urgent. The message is timely. If it strikes a chord with you, please share it with your friends. I appreciate your prayers.

There has never been a more important moment in the life of the modern church. It is time for us to return to our roots and seek God as never before.

Here's the Table of Contents (subject to change)

CHAOS: AS GOES THE CHURCH SO GOES THE WORLD

Preface: Fire on the Horizon

Intro: As Goes the Church

Part One: Disturbing Trends in Today's Church

1. The Giants Have Perished

2. [[[Renaming this one]]]

3. The Song that Never Ends

4. The Worship War Irony

5. For the Love of All That’s Holy

6. To Hell With Hell

7. Modern Day Pharisees

8. Kingdom Mania

9. The Discipleship Captivity of the Church

10. The Leadership Captivity of the Church

11. The Brokenness of “Woken-ness”

12. How the Church Murdered Grace

Part Two: The Revival We Need

13. Grow Big / Reformation pt 1

14. Grow Big / Reformation pt 2

15. Stand Tall / Some Theology Concerning Revival

16. Stand Tall / Some History Concerning Revival

17. Proclaim Christ

Afterword: What’s an Evangelical?

If you enjoy it please subscribe and share it with your friends. Thanks.

Please click here to be notified when the book is released.

In this episode of the podcast. Bill Giovannetti continues sharing new book, CHAOS:As Goes the Church, So Goes the World.

You might have caught some changes in file names, podcasts episode names and titles, because I have basically changed the numbering system to make the whole structure of the book more clear, it's a work in progress. I'm also changing chapter titles...

With this episode Bill continues giving away most of this book, as he shares it with you on the podcast. The message is urgent. The message is timely. If it strikes a chord with you, please share it with your friends. I appreciate your prayers.

There has never been a more important moment in the life of the modern church. It is time for us to return to our roots and seek God as never before.

Here's the Table of Contents (subject to change)

 

CHAOS: AS GOES THE CHURCH SO GOES THE WORLD

Preface: Fire on the Horizon

Intro: As Goes the Church

Part One: Disturbing Trends in Today's Church

1. The Giants Have Perished

2. Cheap Epistemology

3. The Song that Never Ends

4. For the Love of All That’s Holy

5. Whatever Happened to Hell?

6. Modern Day Pharisees

7. Kingdom Mania

8. The Discipleship Captivity of the Church

9. The Leadership Captivity of the Church

10. The Brokenness of “Woken-ness”

11. How the Church Murdered Grace

Part Two: The Revival We Need

12. Grow Big / Reformation pt 1

13. Grow Big / Reformation pt 2

14. Stand Tall / Some Theology Concerning Revival

15. Stand Tall / Some History Concerning Revival

16. Proclaim Christ

Afterword: What’s an Evangelical?

If you enjoy it please subscribe and share it with your friends. Thanks.

Please click here to be notified when the book is released.

In this episode of the podcast. Bill Giovannetti continues sharing new book, CHAOS:As Goes the Church, So Goes the World.

With this episode Bill continues giving away most of this book, as he shares it with you on the podcast. The message is urgent. The message is timely. If it strikes a chord with you, please share it with your friends.

There has never been a more important moment in the life of the modern church. It is time for us to return to our roots and seek God as never before.

Here's the Table of Contents

CHAOS: AS GOES THE CHURCH SO GOES THE WORLD

Preface: Fire on the Horizon

Intro: As Goes the Church

Part One: Disturbing Trends in Today's Church

1. The Preaching Giants Have Perished

2. Francis Schaeffer, Please Come Back

3. The Song that Never Ends

4. The Worship War Irony

5. For the Love of All That’s Holy

6. To Hell With Hell

7. Modern Day Pharisees

8. Kingdom Mania

9. The Discipleship Captivity of the Church

10. The Leadership Captivity of the Church

11. The Brokenness of “Woken-ness”

12. How the Church Murdered Grace

Part Two: The Revival We Need

13. Grow Big / Reformation pt 1

14. Grow Big / Reformation pt 2

15. Stand Tall / Some Theology Concerning Revival

16. Stand Tall / Some History Concerning Revival

17. Proclaim Christ

Afterword: What’s an Evangelical?

If you enjoy it please subscribe and share it with your friends. Thanks.

Please click here to be notified when the book is released.

In this episode of the podcast. Bill Giovannetti continues sharing new book, CHAOS:As Goes the Church, So Goes the World.

With this episode Bill continues giving away most of this book, as he shares it with you on the podcast. The message is urgent. The message is timely. If it strikes a chord with you, please share it with your friends.

There has never been a more important moment in the life of the modern church. It is time for us to return to our roots and seek God as never before.

Here's the Table of Contents

CHAOS: AS GOES THE CHURCH SO GOES THE WORLD

Preface: Fire on the Horizon

Intro: As Goes the Church

Part One: Disturbing Trends in Today's Church

1. The Giants Have Perished

2. Cheap Epistemology

3. The Song that Never Ends

4. For the Love of All That’s Holy

5. Whatever Happened to Hell?

6. Modern Day Pharisees

7. Kingdom Mania

8. The Discipleship Captivity of the Church

9. The Leadership Captivity of the Church

10. The Brokenness of “Woken-ness”

11. How the Church Murdered Grace

Part Two: The Revival We Need

12. Grow Big / Reformation pt 1

13. Grow Big / Reformation pt 2

14. Stand Tall / Some Theology Concerning Revival

15. Stand Tall / Some History Concerning Revival

16. Proclaim Christ

Afterword: What’s an Evangelical?

If you enjoy it please subscribe and share it with your friends. Thanks.

Please click here to be notified when the book is released.

In this episode of the podcast. Bill Giovannetti talks about his new book, CHAOS:As Goes the Church, So Goes the World.

With this episode Bill begins giving away most of this book, as he begins to share it with you on the podcast. The message is urgent. The message is timely. If it strikes a chord with you, please share it with your friends.

There has never been a more important moment in the life of the modern church. It is time for us to return to our roots and seek God as never before.

Here's the Table of Contents (subject to change)

CHAOS: AS GOES THE CHURCH SO GOES THE WORLD

Preface: Fire on the Horizon

Intro: As Goes the Church

Part One: Disturbing Trends in Today's Church

1. The Preaching Giants Have Perished

2. Francis Schaeffer, Please Come Back

3. The Song that Never Ends

4. The Worship War Irony

5. For the Love of All That’s Holy

6. To Hell With Hell

7. Modern Day Pharisees

8. Kingdom Mania

9. The Discipleship Captivity of the Church

10. The Leadership Captivity of the Church

11. The Brokenness of “Woken-ness”

12. How the Church Murdered Grace

Part Two: The Revival We Need

13. Grow Big / Reformation pt 1

14. Grow Big / Reformation pt 2

15. Stand Tall / Some Theology Concerning Revival

16. Stand Tall / Some History Concerning Revival

17. Proclaim Christ

Afterword: What’s an Evangelical?

If you enjoy it please subscribe and share it with your friends. Thanks.

Please click here to be notified when the book is released.

In this episode of the podcast. Bill Giovannetti talks about his new book, CHAOS:As Goes the Church, So Goes the World.

With this episode Bill begins giving away most of this book, as he begins to share it with you on the podcast. The message is urgent. The message is timely. If it strikes a chord with you, please share it with your friends.

There has never been a more important moment in the life of the modern church. It is time for us to return to our roots and seek God as never before.

Here's the Table of Contents (subject to change)

CHAOS: AS GOES THE CHURCH SO GOES THE WORLD

Preface: Fire on the Horizon

Intro: As Goes the Church

Part One: Disturbing Trends in Today's Church

1. The Giants Have Perished

2. Cheap Epistemology

3. The Song that Never Ends

4. For the Love of All That’s Holy

5. Whatever Happened to Hell?

6. Modern Day Pharisees

7. Kingdom Mania

8. The Discipleship Captivity of the Church

9. The Leadership Captivity of the Church

10. The Brokenness of “Woken-ness”

11. How the Church Murdered Grace

Part Two: The Revival We Need

12. Grow Big / Reformation pt 1

13. Grow Big / Reformation pt 2

14. Stand Tall / Some Theology Concerning Revival

15. Stand Tall / Some History Concerning Revival

16. Proclaim Christ

Afterword: What’s an Evangelical?

If you enjoy it please subscribe and share it with your friends. Thanks.

Please click here to be notified when the book is released.

...but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:19)

As Christians, we believe that Christ was the spotless, sinless Lamb of God. As the unique Person -- fully God, fully human -- he rose above every dark force, triumphant over death, the devil, Hell, and sin.

In this episode, Bill talks about an important teaching called the Impeccability of Christ.

There is no doubt that Christ was utterly, perfectly sinless. But could he have sinned? Was he able to sin?

And what about temptation? Could he really face temptation?

Welcome to a theological dive into the Impeccability of Christ.

...but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:19)

As Christians, we believe that Christ was the spotless, sinless Lamb of God. As the unique Person -- fully God, fully human -- he rose above every dark force, triumphant over death, the devil, Hell, and sin.

In this episode, Bill talks about an important teaching called the Impeccability of Christ.

There is no doubt that Christ was utterly, perfectly sinless. But could he have sinned? Was he able to sin?

And what about temptation? Could he really face temptation?

Welcome to a theological dive into the Impeccability of Christ.